Raiders eye winning send-off for record-breaker Papalii

West Australian

8 hours ago

Ahead of becoming Canberra's most-capped NRL player, Josh Papalii has been heralded as the key to a long-awaited title for his beloved Raiders.
Sia Soliola, Papalii's former Raiders teammate on the field and long-term friend off it, says the young Raiders squad have what it takes to win the club's first premiership in more than three decades.
And Big Papa's experience will be crucial.
"We always relied on him, and a lot was put on Paps' shoulders," Soliola told AAP.
"He has always stepped up in crucial times when we've needed someone. He's the guy that still produces the moments in a game where you need something special. That's where Paps' presence really comes to life, and I think that'll play a big part for the Raiders this year."
His second-half spell to help inspire the Raiders' comeback win against the Sydney Roosters was a case in point.
Papalii will be the first to admit his athleticism isn't where it once was, but even at 33 the copious Queenslander is still a vital cog for coach Ricky Stuart's side.
Sunday's clash against South Sydney will be another crucial one for the Green Machine, who could go top with a win, before a much-needed first bye of the season.
His comrades will be even more determined to get the two points to celebrate Papalii notching 319 games with the Raiders to surpass fellow one-club man Jason Croker as the most-capped player in Canberra's history.
But it's the "off-field stuff" the boy from Logan will look back on most fondly.
"The club's been so loyal to me. If you sort of think about what I've been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago, so the club's been such a loyal base for myself and my family," said Papalii, who has admitted this season will be his last for the Raiders.
"I hope I've repaid that with love and sacrifice and in the way I've gone about my craft."
Despite the inexperienced roster, Stuart has his squad firing on all cylinders, and there is a sense among the Raiders faithful - with GIO Stadium set for another sold-out crowd - that this season could be a special one.
It would be a fairytale ending at the club for Papalii after missing out on a title in an agonising grand-final loss to the Roosters in 2019.
"You see all these really great players that never really get to lift it, but the Raiders have got a really good opportunity this year," Soliola said.
"If they keep going the way they're going they're definitely going to give themselves a shot at the business end. I think everyone in rugby league would want that to happen for someone like Paps."
The Raiders would also dearly love to send off Jamal Fogarty on a high note.
A part of club folklore even before he joined - Papalii's 2020 Dally M tackle of the year-winning ankle tap on the then-Titans halfback was immortalised on commemorative Budgy Smugglers - Fogarty has become a fan favourite since, but is bound for Manly next season.
The playmaker has been one of the league's outstanding halves this season and is a welcome boost to the Raiders' starting line-up after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury.
Fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh will also hit a milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th NRL game.
It's the last audition for "Big Red'' ahead of selection for State of Origin II, with the hulking prop's red-hot form making him a favourite for inclusion in Billy Slater's Maroons squad.